GB2118098A - Lateral suspension bar for suspension filing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A lateral file suspension bar has a pair of hook elements (21) the distance between which is adjustable to enable the file to be supported from pairs of differently spaced rails. The suspension bar preferably comprises an I-section elongate member (15), having an upper web (17) to which is fixedly attached one hook element (19). The other hook element (21) is slidably mounted on the upper web. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Lateral suspension bar for suspension filing system This invention relates to a lateral suspension bar for use with a suspension file.

A suspension file, as the term is used herein, comprises a pair of covers between which may be clamped, by any suitable means such as a pair of compressor bars, the material which it is desired to file, for example computer print-out. In a knowr suspension file, the ends of the compressor bars are provided with hooks for engagement with a pair of spaced rails. A suspension file of this type is described in, for example, British patent specification No. 1313579.

An alternative arrangement for hanging a suspension file from a pair of spaced rails is also known. In this alternative arrangement, an elongate member is clamped between the compressor bars. The elongate member includes a channel-section portion which, in use, extends along the spine of the file. A lateral suspension bar, provided with hook elements at each end, is slidably retained in the channel portion. The file may be suspended from a pair of rails by engagement of the hook elements with the rails.

In this arrangement, the file is not only slidable parallel to the rails, but it may also be removed by sliding it laterally along the laterial suspension bar.

According to the present invention, there is provided a lateral suspension bar adapted for slidable engagement with a suspension file, the lateral suspension bar having a pair of hook elements, the distance between which is adjustable.

The lateral suspension bar of the present invention may be used with a variety of filing systems, which have rails spaced apart by differing amounts.

Preferably, at least one of the hook elements is freely slidable along the lateral suspension bar.

This construction has a further particular advantage, in that it reduces the tendency of the hook elements to bind on the rails when the file is being slid longitudinally along the rails. Preferably, the lateral suspension bar comprises a generally Isection member, i.e. an elongate member having an upper and a lower web connected along their length by an intermediate web perpendicular thereto. Preferably, the lateral suspension bar has a first hook element fixedly attached to the upper web of the I-section member, and a second hook element slidably mounted on the upper web.

A lateral suspension bar according to the present invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective end view of a suspension file incorporating the lateral suspension bar of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the lateral suspension bar shown in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, a suspension file comprises a pair of covers 1 between which are sandwiched a number of sheets of computer print-out 3, by means of a pair of compressor bars 5. The compressor bars 5 are held together by means of flexible posts (not shown), as is well known in the art. The flexible posts pass through apertures in the compressor bar in the computer print-out 3, and are fixed in position by means of slidable elements 7. Also sandwiched between the compressor bars 5 is an elongate member 9, which is of generally T-shaped section. The body 10 of the T is formed by an elongate web having apertures therein (not shown), by means of which the elongate member may be retained by the flexible posts extending between the compressor bars 5.The cross bar of the T is in the form of a shallow channel 11. Slidabiy accomodated in the shallow channel 11 is the lower web 13 of an Isection member 15, which forms part of a lateral suspension bar. The upper web 1 7 of the I-section member 1 5 carries near one end a fixed hook element 1 9. Slidably mounted upon the upper web 1 7 is a second hook element 21.

The suspension file incorporating the lateral suspension bar of the present invention may be hung from a pair of spaced rails by means of the hook elements 19, 21. It will be seen that the separation of the hook elements, 19, 21 from each other may be adjusted by sliding the second hook element 21 along the upper web 1 7 of the Isection member 1 5. This allows the lateral suspension bar to be used in different filing systems having suspension rails which are differently spaced. The suspension file may be removed from the filing system by sliding the elongate member 9 along the I-section member 1 5. Furthermore, the file, including the lateral suspension bar, may be slid longitudinally along the rails of the filing system.

Claims (filed on 22 Feb 83) 1. A lateral suspension bar adapted for slidable engagement with a suspension file as hereinbefore defined, the lateral suspension bar having a pair of hook elements, the distance between which is adjustable longitudinally of the bar.

2. A lateral suspension bar according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the hook elements is freely slidable along the lateral suspension bar.

3. A lateral suspension bar according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said hook elements are connected by a generally I-section elongate member having an upper and a lower web, said lower web being adapted to support said suspension file in use.

4. A lateral suspension bar according to claim 3 wherein said first hook element is fixedly attached to the upper web of said elongate member, and said second hook element is slidably mounted on said upper web.

5. A lateral suspension bar substantially as

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Lateral suspension bar for suspension filing system This invention relates to a lateral suspension bar for use with a suspension file. A suspension file, as the term is used herein, comprises a pair of covers between which may be clamped, by any suitable means such as a pair of compressor bars, the material which it is desired to file, for example computer print-out. In a knowr suspension file, the ends of the compressor bars are provided with hooks for engagement with a pair of spaced rails. A suspension file of this type is described in, for example, British patent specification No. 1313579. An alternative arrangement for hanging a suspension file from a pair of spaced rails is also known. In this alternative arrangement, an elongate member is clamped between the compressor bars. The elongate member includes a channel-section portion which, in use, extends along the spine of the file. A lateral suspension bar, provided with hook elements at each end, is slidably retained in the channel portion. The file may be suspended from a pair of rails by engagement of the hook elements with the rails. In this arrangement, the file is not only slidable parallel to the rails, but it may also be removed by sliding it laterally along the laterial suspension bar. According to the present invention, there is provided a lateral suspension bar adapted for slidable engagement with a suspension file, the lateral suspension bar having a pair of hook elements, the distance between which is adjustable. The lateral suspension bar of the present invention may be used with a variety of filing systems, which have rails spaced apart by differing amounts. Preferably, at least one of the hook elements is freely slidable along the lateral suspension bar. This construction has a further particular advantage, in that it reduces the tendency of the hook elements to bind on the rails when the file is being slid longitudinally along the rails. Preferably, the lateral suspension bar comprises a generally Isection member, i.e. an elongate member having an upper and a lower web connected along their length by an intermediate web perpendicular thereto. Preferably, the lateral suspension bar has a first hook element fixedly attached to the upper web of the I-section member, and a second hook element slidably mounted on the upper web. A lateral suspension bar according to the present invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective end view of a suspension file incorporating the lateral suspension bar of the present invention. Figure 2 is a side view of the lateral suspension bar shown in Figure 1. Referring to the drawings, a suspension file comprises a pair of covers 1 between which are sandwiched a number of sheets of computer print-out 3, by means of a pair of compressor bars 5. The compressor bars 5 are held together by means of flexible posts (not shown), as is well known in the art. The flexible posts pass through apertures in the compressor bar in the computer print-out 3, and are fixed in position by means of slidable elements 7. Also sandwiched between the compressor bars 5 is an elongate member 9, which is of generally T-shaped section. The body 10 of the T is formed by an elongate web having apertures therein (not shown), by means of which the elongate member may be retained by the flexible posts extending between the compressor bars 5.The cross bar of the T is in the form of a shallow channel 11. Slidabiy accomodated in the shallow channel 11 is the lower web 13 of an Isection member 15, which forms part of a lateral suspension bar. The upper web 1 7 of the I-section member 1 5 carries near one end a fixed hook element 1 9. Slidably mounted upon the upper web 1 7 is a second hook element 21. The suspension file incorporating the lateral suspension bar of the present invention may be hung from a pair of spaced rails by means of the hook elements 19, 21. It will be seen that the separation of the hook elements, 19, 21 from each other may be adjusted by sliding the second hook element 21 along the upper web 1 7 of the Isection member 1 5. This allows the lateral suspension bar to be used in different filing systems having suspension rails which are differently spaced. The suspension file may be removed from the filing system by sliding the elongate member 9 along the I-section member 1 5. Furthermore, the file, including the lateral suspension bar, may be slid longitudinally along the rails of the filing system. Claims (filed on 22 Feb 83)

1. A lateral suspension bar adapted for slidable engagement with a suspension file as hereinbefore defined, the lateral suspension bar having a pair of hook elements, the distance between which is adjustable longitudinally of the bar.

2. A lateral suspension bar according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the hook elements is freely slidable along the lateral suspension bar.

3. A lateral suspension bar according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said hook elements are connected by a generally I-section elongate member having an upper and a lower web, said lower web being adapted to support said suspension file in use.

4. A lateral suspension bar according to claim 3 wherein said first hook element is fixedly attached to the upper web of said elongate member, and said second hook element is slidably mounted on said upper web.

5. A lateral suspension bar substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

6. A suspension file as hereinbefore defined including a lateral suspension bar according to any preceding claim.